Sacred Heart Mission receives $1.2m to upgrade charity kitchen

SACRED Heart Mission in St Kilda - one of Melbourne's busiest charity kitchens - has received a million dollar boost to improve facilities.

The $1.2 million renovation will include a full industrial kitchen, new plumbing and sewerage pipes, and amenities for volunteers and staff including extra toilets, change rooms, offices, and storage space.

The State Government, Fox family and Archdiocese of Melbourne have jointly funded the renovation which will ensure the charity continues to deliver more than 180,000 meals each year to people who are homeless or disadvantaged.

Acting Premier Peter Ryan said the State Government was pleased to partner with philanthropists and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to secure the future of the Sacred Heart Mission’s meals program.

“For more than three decades the Sacred Heart Mission has provided more than 500 meals a day, 365 days a year, in a space that was not originally designed or built for this purpose,” Mr Ryan said.

“As well as providing meals, it’s here in the dining hall that Sacred Heart Mission’s care and support workers actively engage with people who are doing it tough, helping them to get back on their feet.

“This $1.2 million renovation will provide a greatly improved environment for clients, staff and volunteers, allowing Sacred Heart Mission workers to more effectively connect with those who use their services.”

Work on the new facilities will begin immediately with the upgrade due for completion in May.